The Effects of Externally-Mediated Goal Setting on Intrinsic Motivation.

Mossholder, Kevin W.

The effect of externally-mediated goal setting on intrinsic motivation was examined using a laboratory assembly task. College male subjects (N=80) were randomly assigned in a factorial design including two conditions of goal setting (assigned vs. no goals) and two conditions of initial task interest (interesting vs. boring task). The results show that under interesting task conditions, assigning specific, difficult goals reduced subsequent task interest, persistence, and satisfaction with the task, while under boring task conditions assigning specific difficult goals increased subsequent task interest only. Findings are discussed in terms of their relevance for the application of goal setting in work contexts and the importance of the task in moderating the impact of goal setting. (Author)